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Set up Universal Dictation

Updated

Set up dictation on your iPhone, your Mac, or both. Your words appear where you're typing.

Set up on iPhone

Universal Dictation uses Stream Keyboard to type your words into any app with a text field.

1. Set up Stream Keyboard

In Stream iOS, go to Settings → Dictation → Keyboard → Set Up Stream Keyboard and follow the on-screen instructions.

Already set it up before? You can turn Stream Keyboard back on without repeating setup:

  1. Open your iPhone's Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards.
  2. Select Stream Keyboard and turn on Allow Full Access.
  3. Open any app with a text field and tap it to bring up the keyboard.
  4. Tap the globe icon in the bottom-left corner and select Stream Keyboard.

iOS Keyboard.png

Try your first dictation

  1. Open an app like Messages and tap a text field.
  2. Hold the globe key on your keyboard and select Stream Keyboard.
  3. Hold your Ring's touchpad and speak.
  4. Let go to insert your words.

Set up on Mac

What you need

  • A Ring paired with your iPhone. See Set up your Stream Ring.
  • A Mac running macOS 15.6 or later.
  • Your iPhone nearby, with Stream on iOS signed in

Install Stream on Mac

  1. Download Stream on Mac from sandbar.com/downloads.
  2. Open it.
  3. Sign in with Apple or Google, using the same account as your iPhone.

Allow Accessibility

Stream needs this to type into other apps.

  1. When Stream asks, click Open settings.
  2. Turn on Stream under Privacy & Security → Accessibility.
  3. Go back to Stream.

Connect your Mac

Look for the Stream icon in your menu bar.

  • Green: connected.
  • Red: Your Ring isn't connected due to an error. Click the icon to check what went wrong.
Group 1.png

Dictate on Mac

  1. Swipe up on the touchpad for Dictation.
  2. Click into a text field.
  3. Hold the touchpad and speak. You'll feel a pulse, then a ramp.
  4. Let go. Your words appear.

The toggle on the right side of your screen shows which mode you're in. Swipe up for Dictation, swipe down to switch to Chat. See Switch between Chat and Dictation.

Good to know

  • No text field selected? Your words are saved in the Dictations tab. Copy them from there.
  • Mac idle? Stream disconnects and reconnects when you move the mouse. Change the timing in the menu bar under Disconnect when inactive.

Having trouble?

See Dictated text doesn't appear where expected.

Need help?

Email support@sandbar.com, or in Stream iOS:

Settings → Get Support

We usually reply within one business day.